Cycle Paths (1)

Tony Devenish: Who in TfL signed off on safety grounds the cycle paths such as the one in Parliament Square which have cyclists cutting across right to left when pedestrians automatically look left to right?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) led the design for the two-way cycle tracks introduced at Parliament Square in collaboration with the Highway Authority, Westminster City Council. Following detailed assessments, a two-way cycle track was determined to be the optimal design solution for that section of the route. The layout is in accordance with design standards, including the London Cycling Design Standards, and was subject to Road Safety Audits during development and once the scheme had been implemented.
All pedestrian crossings at Parliament Square are separately phased so that cyclists and pedestrians do not have a green signal at the same time. This arrangement reduces the likelihood of interactions between people walking and cycling. In addition to the segregated cycle facilities, the Cycleway scheme also delivered significant benefits for pedestrians, including new crossings and wider footways.
The proposals at Parliament Square were subject to public consultation between 3 September and 9 November 2014, and were ultimately approved by the TfL Board, chaired by the previous Mayor of London, on 4 February 2015.